Inflation in August Marks First Monthly Decline in 2015

Inflation declined in August for the first time since January yet remained at the same level over the past year, according to a U.S. Labor Department report released Wednesday, September 16, 2015.

Decreases for the month came as the cost of gasoline cheapened along with other items like airline fares, household furnishings and operations, recreation, and used cars and trucks. American paid more for food, however, along with items like shelter, clothing, tobacco, and alcoholic beverages.

Lastly, core inflation picked up 1.8% over the past 12 months, matching the prior two annually based increases. The core reading is a key inflation figure monitored by the Federal Reserve, which has a stated inflation target of 2%.

Below are most-watched consumer prices by category as well as their month-over-month changes. The final column offers the annual changes. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) gathers the prices each month. For the full BLS summary report for August, visit: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/cpi_09162015.htm.

Table of US Inflation / Consumer Prices (%)

Feb 2015

Mar 2015

Apr 2015

May 2015

June 2015

July 2015

August 2015

12 Month

All items

0.2

0.2

0.1

0.4

0.3

0.1

-0.1

0.2

Food

0.2

-0.2

.0

.0

0.3

0.2

0.2

1.6

Food at home

0.1

-0.5

-0.2

-0.2

0.4

0.3

0.3

0.8

Food away from home

0.3

0.2

0.2

0.2

0.2

.0

0.2

2.7

Energy

1.0

1.1

-1.3

4.3

1.7

0.1

-2.0

-15.0

Energy commodities

2.1

3.8

-1.9

9.6

3.1

0.7

-4.1

-23.6

Gasoline (all types)

2.4

3.9

-1.7

10.4

3.4

0.9

-4.1

-23.3

Fuel oil

1.9

5.9

-8.4

0.7

-1.9

-3.4

-8.1

-34.6

Energy services

-0.2

-1.5

-0.5

-1.0

0.2

-0.6

0.5

-3.0

Electricity

0.3

-1.1

.0

-1.2

0.2

-0.4

0.3

-0.6

Utility (piped) gas service

-2.0

-2.7

-2.6

.0

0.3

-1.4

1.3

-11.5

All items less food, energy

0.2

0.2

0.3

0.1

0.2

0.1

0.1

1.8

Commodities less food, energy

0.2

0.3

0.1

-0.1

-0.1

-0.1

-0.1

-0.5

New vehicles

0.2

0.2

0.1

0.2

0.1

-0.2

.0

0.6

Used cars and trucks

1.0

1.2

0.6

-0.4

-0.4

-0.6

-0.4

-1.5

Apparel

0.3

0.5

-0.3

-0.5

-0.1

0.3

0.3

-0.9

Medical care

0.7

0.1

0.1

0.4

.0

0.1

0.3

3.4

Services less energy

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.2

0.3

0.2

0.1

2.6

Shelter

0.2

0.3

0.3

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.2

3.1

Transportation

0.3

.0

0.1

0.7

0.4

-0.2

-0.3

2.1

Medical care

-0.2

0.4

0.9

0.2

-0.2

0.1

.0

2.2

The Consumer Price Index report for September has a scheduled release date of October 15, 2015 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT).